FARMINGTON, Utah – After helping Idaho State open Big Sky Conference play with an undefeated weekend, true freshman Aspen Boice has been named the Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
Boice continued her impressive freshman campaign as the Bengals went 2-0 on the road without dropping a set, sweeping Idaho on Thursday before closing the weekend with a 3-0 victory over Eastern Washington on Saturday.
The freshman led Idaho State's back-row defense throughout the weekend, totaling 32 digs across six sets for an average of 5.33 digs per set. She also added three service aces and four assists over the two victories.
Boice opened conference play with a match-high 14 digs in the Bengals' sweep of Idaho, averaging 4.67 digs per set. She was also perfect on 14 serve-receive attempts and added a service ace as Idaho State held the Vandals to a .153 hitting percentage.
Two days later, Boice was even better against Eastern Washington. She recorded a match-high 18 digs in just three sets, averaging 6.00 digs per set, while adding two aces and two assists in the Bengals' second consecutive sweep.
Boice's play in the back row helped Idaho State put together a perfect start to conference action. The Bengals did not surrender a set across the two-match road trip, winning all six sets against the Vandals and Eagles.
The honor continues an outstanding start to Boice's collegiate career. The true freshman currently leads the Big Sky Conference in both total digs and digs per set, establishing herself as a key piece of the Idaho State defense early in her first season.
It also marks Boice's second Big Sky Defensive Player of the Week honor this season. She previously earned the award following the Boise State Classic, where she totaled 59 digs and averaged 4.92 digs per set while helping Idaho State earn victories over UNLV and Boise State.
With Boice controlling the back row, the Bengals now turn their attention to their opening stretch of home Big Sky contests after opening the conference schedule a perfect 2-0 on the road.
